‘No place I’d rather be’ – Remy Koch

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“There were definitely quite a few holes in the drywall,” Koch said, laughing. “We had to patch some big, body-sized holes.”

Cash is now 19 and playing forward for the Vancouver Giants.

Remy was selected by the Rockets in the second round (26th overall) of the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft.

He won’t turn 16 until December 24, Christmas Eve.

The basement games were a long way from what Koch is facing now.

He arrived at Rockets training camp knowing there was a chance to make the team, but also knowing nothing would be handed to him.

“I kind of had the mindset that whatever happens, happens, and everything’s going to happen for a reason.”

Koch had already set the target for himself before camp began.

“That was obviously the goal coming into camp, and I thought I could definitely work my way onto the team. That’s what I did.”

Then the roster was announced, and Koch had accomplished something few get to experience at such a young age.

“I was lucky enough to crack the roster, which was a great surprise.”

There is no sense of relief in his voice when he talks about making the team. If anything, it sounds like the starting point.

“I’m super proud of myself and ready to keep pushing.”

The WHL has been part of Koch’s hockey world for years, long before he had a chance to play in it.

Growing up in Calgary, the Hitmen were always nearby, and hockey was a constant presence in his family.

“From a young age, living in Calgary and watching the Hitmen all the time and always being around the rink, especially with my older brother going through that path, I think that’s definitely what I wanted from a very young age.”

The Saddledome was familiar territory.

“Always going to the Saddledome was super nice. We had a box there, so we’d watch a lot of the Hitmen games.”

His brothers also gave him a close-up look at the game he wanted to play.

“I think definitely my brothers, for sure.”

His parents were part of virtually every step of that journey.

“I can count on one hand the number of games they’ve missed, which is awesome.”

Koch spent plenty of time around the rink watching his brother and teammates.

“They’ve always been playing at the highest level, which is awesome to watch, and I think I’ve just learned so much from going to their games and watching them and their teammates every day when I would go to the rink when I was younger.”

There is one person Koch doesn’t hesitate to single out.

His mother, Maria, a registered nurse.

“She’s definitely been there forever, and she’s going to be there forever.”

For Koch, her role has never been limited to showing up at the rink.

“She’s just been there through everything, through thick and thin.”

And when something important happens, her phone isn’t far behind.

“She’s the first person to text me when she finds out news, and she’s the first person to congratulate me and be there when times get tough.”

Koch doesn’t need a long explanation to describe what that support has meant.

“I really owe it all to her, and I wouldn’t be here without her.”

Now the basement games are a memory, and the competition is considerably more serious.

Koch is about to find out what his game looks like against players who are older, stronger and more experienced.

He knows exactly where one of the questions will come from.

“I like the physical side of the game for sure. I’m not the biggest guy, but I think I take quite a few people by surprise when they see the punch that I pack.”

Koch enjoys the part of the game that can catch an opponent off guard.

“I like the surprise, and I like being like that. I like getting in guys’ faces, throwing some chirps around and hitting guys.”

At 15, though, there is another part of the equation that comes with playing physically.

“As I said, I’m not the biggest guy, so that’s definitely going to raise some flags for some guys. They’re going to think, ‘Oh, it’s just going to be an easy hit,’ going into the corner.”

If Koch can avoid the big hits, he believes his skating can help him create problems at the other end.

“Some people may say that I’m a really good skater, but there’s always better, and I always want to push for more.”

For now, though, there is a more immediate challenge.

Koch has to find his place in a Kelowna lineup filled with older players.

“I like to be offensive, but in your first year in the league, it’s going to be hard, so you’ve got to embrace the role you’re given.”

That doesn’t mean the offensive side disappears from his plans.

“I do obviously want points and stuff. I think that’s definitely a goal of mine, to get over 0.5 points per game.”

There is another goal that may matter just as much during his first season.

“I think just making a reputation for myself, honestly.”

And he isn’t overly concerned about what that reputation looks like, as long as it is a positive one.

“Whether that’s being a more physical guy, like my brother, or being a more skilled guy, whatever my reputation, I want it to be a good one and I want people to know the name.”

There will be nights when the points don’t come and the minutes aren’t what he wants.

Koch already understands that his contribution may have to come in different ways.

“If I’m not playing very much, I want to be energy on the bench and provide energy for the boys.”

It’s a mature approach from a player of his age.

But maybe the basement games offered some preparation after all.

The drywall has been repaired. The stakes have changed. The love for the game hasn’t.

“There’s no place I’d rather be but in Kelowna, and I’m just super, super excited to get going.”